A Career Road Map to Sustainable Employment

As a Distinguished Fellow with Ball State University's Bowen Center for Public Affairs, I have the honor and privilege of participating in the Center's innovative project to help identify and address the barriers to employment that face college-educated people with disabilities.

One of my responsibilities as a fellow is to teach a political science course, The Disability Culture: Enhancing Today's Economy. It's the first of its kind to be offered by Ball State and offers an extensive analysis of public policies dealing with Americans with disabilities in the workplace. This semester, students gained an insider's view of the political process from guest lecturers Tim Berry, auditor of the State of Indiana, and Bart Peterson, former mayor of Indianapolis and senior vice president of corporate affairs and communications for Eli Lilly and Company. Both lecturers highlighted the importance of self-advocacy, especially in light of the current job climate.

Recent college graduates are having a difficult time finding jobs. The environment is much tougher for graduates with disabilities. That's why the students who took my course were required to prepare a "Career Road Map to Sustainable Employment," a business/political agenda for the next 10 years, which included their employment goals. This exercise underscores my belief that it's incumbent upon us to determine our own destinies, so that ultimately we can become self-sufficient members of our communities.

I wish all 2010 graduates the best as they begin on their career paths. Your ability to navigate the complexities of life will serve you well in your quest for meaningful employment. Education in all its forms is the cornerstone to a civilized culture. Cherish your higher education as we count on you to enhance today's economy.

Why we all should connect with Indy Connect

In recent weeks, Central Indiana residents have been introduced to Indy Connect, a regional transportation initiative that has the potential to transform transportation in our community. It includes multiple modes of transportation - expanded roads, commuter and light rail, enhanced bus service, and bike and pedestrian walkways - to give us more ways to connect to our jobs, our loved ones, and our activities.

Decades of research - plus an unprecedented collaboration of businesses, government organizations, and not-for-profit groups - have produced a draft plan which lays out how we can integrate new and existing modes of transportation. The plan and the organization's web site also feature a draft regional map that allow residents to pinpoint exactly how they will be affected, and ultimately benefit.

Too often, transportation concerns are a barrier for people with disabilities to find and maintain employment. Imagine finally securing a job, but concerns about how you are going to transport yourself to it every day overwhelm you in the process. I drive a van - with a lift - that is accessible for my wheelchair. If there's a glitch with the lift and I have to take the van into the shop, I simply can't get to work, and thus, contribute to our economy.

I also hear concerns about transportation from the students with whom I work at Ball State University. They are educated, well-trained, and eager to enter the workforce. Yet, they fear a lack of accessible transportation may prohibit them from finding a job when they graduate.

In Central Indiana, our elected and community leaders recognize the need to be inclusive of people with disabilities when addressing transportation needs. Ball State's Jo Ann Gora, for example, has continued to support a state-of-the-art transportation system for students with disabilities. At the same time, people with disabilities, their loved ones and friends, must make their voices heard on why accessible transportation is so important.

They'll get the opportunity to do so this year. Throughout 2010, Indy Connect will be holding public meetings so citizens can comment on the draft plan. To learn more about Indy Connect, and to sign up for periodic updates, please visit www.indyconnect.org.

In a community like ours where employment centers are dotted throughout the region, it's imperative we connect everyone to available jobs. Indy Connect is a great first step.

People with Disabilities will add Value to your Business

Recently, computerworld.com featured a Q&A with Neil Jacobson, founder and CEO of Abilicorp about how people with disabilities are well-suited for IT careers. In the article, Jacobson explains why people with disabilities are reliable and dependable employees:

"Many of us who have significant physical disabilities have to be creative and persistent for our own survival. Because we are often not able to do things the 'normal' way, we are literally forced to be creative and perform tasks however we can, and we carry that creativity into problem-solving in the workplace. We have to be persistent and know there's always a way to accomplish a task."

Jacobson continues this line of thought by explaining that people with disabilities also make good managers, because we are skilled at navigating the complexities of daily life and communicating our needs to others.

It's an intriguing concept, especially in light of today's economic climate. With Indiana's unemployment rate at 9.9 percent, and our national jobless rate at 9.7 percent, I don't doubt that people with disabilities are out of work right now. Yet, people with disabilities are prepared to enter the workforce and contribute to our economy. The National Organization on Disabilities estimates that people with disabilities are better educated than ever, and are local, dedicated employees. Neil Jacobson - who worked for the same company for 29 years before launching his firm - has firsthand experience, helping place people with disabilities in good paying jobs.

As a person with a disability, I hope employers take a second look at people with disabilities when making hiring decisions. The diverse culture of our nation - and our world - has opened up emerging markets that many of us never thought possible. Understanding diversity has a significant impact on our collective potential for economic success. In these tough economic times, a diverse employee base - including people with disabilities - can simply help boost a company's bottom line.

Year in Review

Recently, I have been reflecting on this past year and how nearly everyone I know has faced some type of challenge. For some, it is the loss of a job or depletion of savings. For others, it is tightening the family budget to cope with a difficult economy. And for others, it is a reorganization of priorities to accommodate work and personal life.

People with disabilities face challenges every day. And like others in our country, we too, have been affected by this once-in-a-lifetime economic event. We are having a tougher time finding - and keeping - employment. As our population ages and health care costs rise, we are digging deeper to pay for much-needed medical care.

We all are learning that the old model of doing things - at least the model we know - is changing. And it's up to all of us to take the initiative and adapt to these changes. But what do we do when we don't have all the answers? What do we do when the end result of all this change isn't clear?

In the last year, I've learned that we must bring forward the vulnerable among us. A great example is the unprecedented coalition of businesses, labor organizations, medical professionals, faith-based leaders, citizens, and elected officials who made an effective case for a new Wishard Hospital. Because of the work of these individuals and groups, all citizens will continue to benefit from top-notch health care.

I've also learned that those who risk being left behind have strength and power in their numbers. We all have the right to vote, but we must register and become informed of how to exercise this unique power. For people with disabilities, it is incumbent upon us to make our voices heard, either through citizen engagement with elected and community leaders, or through our pocketbooks. In the digital age, it is becoming easier for people with disabilities to communicate and work together.

In the year ahead, I am looking forward to serving as a Distinguished Fellow with Ball State University's Bowen Center for Public Affairs, and engaging a new generation of leaders in developing strategies to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities and the aging population.

A Greek philosopher once said, "Nothing endures but change." As we move into the second decade of the second millennium, this ancient teaching still applies. How we adapt - and grow - is up to each of us.

In the coming year, we have much to look forward to...and much more to do. On behalf of The Fehribach Group, I wish you a happy holiday season and a prosperous new year.

Bowen Center for Public Affairs

Recently, I've been engaged with Ball State University's Bowen Center for Public Affairs as a Distinguished Fellow. Part of my work will include a course in public policy that will address and identify the obstacles people with disabilities face as they seek employment. I'll also be providing students with guest lectures and offering workshops for disability policy throughout Indiana. Additionally, we'll help educate policymakers on how to build inclusive strategies into their communities.

The fellowship is funded by a grant from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services. The division's director is Pete Bisbecos, who is determined to address the barriers that prevent people with disabilities from contributing to our economy.

Working with Ball State on an initiative that empowers people with disabilities is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, and I'm very appreciative of our state's dedication to increasing the economic prospects for our disabled population. I'm also appreciative of Ball State's visionary leaders for supporting not just this project, but the Bowen Center and its excellent team of public servants.

For generations, Ball State has always demonstrated a strong commitment to people with disabilities. With this fellowship, we now have the potential to have a lasting impact on the lives of countless people who are ready and determined to contribute their time and talents to grow Indiana's economy.

I look forward to updating you on our progress throughout the academic year.

Start with Art

Each year, I look forward to participating in the Start with Art luncheon, which kicks off Indianapolis' arts season. It was an honor to attend this year among business associates and friends, all of whom share the belief that the arts have limitless potential to bring together people of diverse backgrounds.

I have had the opportunity to work with several arts organizations -- on a professional and volunteer basis -- to ensure that facilities, programming and exhibits are inclusive for people with disabilities, the aging population and others. It's been rewarding to be a part of so many dynamic offerings and to provide people with disabilities more variety for their entertainment dollar.

The arts encourage us to look beyond the visual characteristics that distinguish us and look deeper into exactly what it is that makes us different and how those differences can enhance our overall quality of life. In Indianapolis, the arts community is a key facilitator in helping all of us appreciate those differences.



Guests enjoying the Start with Art luncheon. Pictured from left to right are: Jennifer Mendoza, The Fehribach Group; David Jurkiewicz, Bose McKinney & Evans; Sarah Myer, NUVO; Mary Beth Fehribach, The Fehribach Group; Juli Paini, City of Indianapolis Office of Disability Affairs; Jane Henegar; Greg Fehribach; Tom Harton, Indianapolis Business Journal; Matt Gutwein, Health & Hospital Corp. of Marion County; Tony Mason, 2012 Indianapolis Superbowl Host Committee.

The ADA: A Civil Rights Milestone

On July 26, 1990, I was honored to represent the State of Indiana when President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law at a ceremony on the south lawn of the White House. We were surrounded by supporters, members of Congress, people with disabilities, friends and loved ones as we watched our dreams become a reality.

The 19th anniversary of the ADA is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the progress we collectively have made as a country in terms of civil rights. As with other civil rights milestones, it's also an opportunity for us to reflect on how far we have to go.

Before the ADA, I lived in a world without curb cuts, ramps, and little economic opportunity. The ADA marked a significant turning point for people with disabilities. At the same time, it opened up new markets for businesses and other organizations in our communities. That's why I strongly encourage people with disabilities, their families, friends and caregivers, to embrace the protections afforded to us by the ADA and become fully engaged in the process. Perhaps it's putting a college degree to work. Or it's advocating for community improvements. Or it's encouraging others to support businesses that accommodate people with disabilities.

The list of how we can become involved is long, but it's ultimately our responsibility to move ourselves forward.